Pregame Preview: Headley hopes to return

SAN FRANCISCO  Chase Headley took batting practice again Tuesday in San Francisco before the penultimate game of the season between the Giants and Padres (7:15 p.m.; TV: 4 San Diego) and said he is hoping to play the final homestand of the season (Sept. 23-28).

“The thing that’s tough about being injured at this time of the season is that there is nowhere to go on a rehab assignment,” said Headley. “They’ve talked about having some type of a simulated game against some live pitching next week.”

Headley said he expects to get the medical clearance to play this weekend as the Padres return to Petco Park to host the Arizona Diamondbacks, who could clinch the National LeagueWes title while in San Diego.

Because of the nature of his injury (a fracture to the little finger in his right hand), Headley will hit only left-handed if he returns.

Anthony Rizzo suffered a slight ankle sprain Monday night as he slipped coming out of the batter’s box in the ninth inning. “It’s sore, but I can play,” said Rizzo, who didn’t know exactly how he rolled his ankle.

Meantime, the Padres will be looking to break out of one of their worst droughts of the season Tuesday night. The Padres have lost 15 of their last 18 games – the entire slump coming against teams in their own division.

Will Venable returns to the lineup Tuesday after missing three starts due to a sore throwing shoulder.

Venable led off last Wednesday’s game at Petco Park with a homer off Matt Cain, who is starting for the Giants Tuesday night.

PADRES (63-85) at GIANTS (77-70)

Time: 7:15 p.m. / Game 2 of 3

TV: 4 San Diego.

Radio: 1090-AM, 1700-AM, 860-AM (Spanish)

PITCHING MATCHUP

Padres LHP Cory Luebke (5-9, 3.28 ERA in 43 games, 14 starts)

Luebke at Giants: 1-1 career and this season, 4.05 ERA in three games, two starts.

Luebke at AT&T Park: 0-1, 3.00 ERA in one start.

Luebke is 2-5 on the road this season although he has a 2.89 road ERA (62 1/3 innings in 22 games, eight starts) compared to a 3.79 ERA at Petco Park. Luebke has lost his last three starts with a 5.87 ERA over the span.

Cain has had less success against the Padres than any other team he has faced. His most recent loss to the Padres was last Wednesday at Petco. Cain’s 24 quality starts this season are the most in the National League and second in the major leagues to 26 by Detroit’s Justin Verlander.